The Famous Grouse Smoky Black

Please take into account that these are my personal tasting notes and personal experience, as such you may interpret this whisky very differently from me.

Formally known as The Black Grouse – I’m not sure if it is just the name and packaging that have been changed but I’m fairly sure they’ve altered the blend itself as well. Please correct me if I’m wrong though!

Colour:

Burnished gold.

Nose:

Young spirit, a fruity sweetness and some peaty smoke – not as much as you’d expect from the name though, more of a sweet smoke akin to a Highland Park.

With Water: More sweet, some chocolate notes coming out.

Palate:

Again sweet peat smoke, with vanilla and chocolate. Some mild spice coming through after a little while. Interestingly it came across as watery at first but developed to become a bit more creamy after a little while.

With Water: Some caramel notes join the mix.

Finish:

Medium to long. Sweet smoke again, with more vanilla and chocolate.

With Water: A hint of nuts mixed in with the chocolate.

Overall:

Not what I’d expected from the name, or after trying it’s previous incarnation The Black Grouse. Yes there’s smoke in the there and some peat but it’s not as strong anymore. Instead the smoke comes through as sweet like in a Highland Park which I know they use in their standard blend. Yes this is a cheap and easy to obtain blend and no it’s not got a huge range of flavours or a great deal of depth to it. That said it’s not a bad blend in my opinion, in fact despite the young spirit I got on the nose it’s very easy to drink with no alcohol burn.

If you want something that’s inoffensive, sweet and smooth with a bit of smoke to it then it’s worth a try. As with the old Black Grouse it may be a good introduction to anyone whose not sure on smoky whiskies and wants to give their palate an easy introduction.

THE FAMOUS GROUSE SMOKY BLACK

The Famous Grouse Smoky Black (previously The Black Grouse) blends more peated malt whiskies, including a rare version of Glenturret, with exceptional grain whiskies to produce a richer, lightly smoky and smooth flavour. Explore a smokier side to our Famous whisky.